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Draft 2012: Pro Day Roundup

Just like the Combine, Pro Day workouts give numbered results to supplement what prospects produce on the field during games. With numerous high-profile invitees sitting out their first-impression Combine workout, Pro Days have a heightened sense of importance for participants to perform up to or beyond the athleticism they showed on Saturdays. We are around the midway point of post-season workouts so let's look at who has impressed or underperformed thus far.

Name-brand

Stanford QB Andrew Luck -- On a windy day in Palo Alto, Luck showed brilliant command of his Pro Day workout by completing 45-of-48 passes. Two incompletions were dropped, and the third came on an overthrow. The style in which Luck orchestrated his variety of throws was most impressive, with the majority coming after movements in the pocket. It is something many QB prospects do not implement enough at Pro Days, since most passes at the next level will be thrown in a muddled pocket. It did not matter if Luck was forced to flow to his left or right, he consistently squared his shoulders and placed the ball in a catchable position with efficient velocity. Some have questioned Luck's arm strength, claiming he guides too many throws. I don't buy it. Combined with pre-throw anticipation, his motion is so effortless that passes look placed. That kind of touch and awareness is a positive in my book. More information surfaced yesterday that, at Stanford, Luck called one formation and chose from three plays at the line of scrimmage. Most NFL quarterbacks don't even have that kind of responsibility. There is no doubting Robert Griffin III as an elite prospect, but I would draft Andrew Luck with the first pick every day of the week.

Oklahoma State WR Justin Blackmon -- After sitting out most of the Combine with a tweaked hamstring, Blackmon showed excellent straight-line speed with a sub-4.45 forty while weighing in eight pounds heavier (215) than he did in Indianapolis. This time will be adjusted, with teams likely adding around two hundredths of a second, but anything under 4.5 is a stellar result. Blackmon has the necessary speed to be a vertical threat, but has yet to show it due to the Big 12 off-coverages that repeatedly offered short completions. However, Blackmon flashed downfield playmaking ability when breaking first contact and keeping distance from trailing defensive backs for long after-catch runs. Blackmon's catch radius and skills to adjust to throws (35.5" vertical) are undeniably impressive. With that said, I still question if he can dominate press coverage like he did facing seven-yard cushions. Many will definitively say Blackmon deserves a top-ten selection and fits in the category of other elite prospects (A.J. Green, Julio Jones). I love Blackmon's physical style, but not enough to put him in that group and doubt he can consistently produce like a top-15 NFL wide receiver.

Baylor QB Robert Griffin III -- Griffin's Pro Day lost a little luster after the Redskins went all-in for the No. 2 pick, making it seemingly obvious that he's already got his next team. But that did not stop the Baylor quarterback from putting on a show. Griffin threw around 82 passes, the first 20 to still targets, and completed 76 of them. This result was expected in a scripted workout, but the pace at which Griffin fired off throws was thoroughly impressive. No one questions Griffin's arm talent, especially on deep sideline throws or when testing coverage downfield. Griffin looked more refined in his stance, with his elbows compact pre-release rather than parallel to his feet like Troy Smith. Still, the few questions I have on Griffin were impossible to answer in a Pro Day setting. After his initial drop, Griffin's footwork lacks purpose when his first read is taken away. The steps are inconsistent, either choppy or a single stride. The athlete in Griffin momentarily takes over but in Washington's style of offense this is close to a non-issue. I still prefer Luck's ability to handle protection assignments pre-snap and decisive movements in tight spaces, but Griffin possesses every quality of an elite QB talent.

Stanford TE Coby Fleener -- At 6'6/241, Fleener put on a clinic with a 4.45 forty and 37" vertical while standing on his 27 bench reps from the Combine. After four months, Fleener's high ankle sprain suffered in the Fiesta Bowl was said to be 90 percent healed. From an outside perspective that is a long timetable to return to full health, but it was a positive sign that Fleener fully participated in the workout after slipping in the three-cone drill. Fleener can stretch the field from the in-line position or out in the slot as a Joker, but Fleener is far from complete. He is a willing blocker with excellent length but has not shown an ability to consistently win in one-on-one situations at the line of scrimmage. Fleener overextends far too often, but blocking is one of the easier skills to obtain especially for a willing player. Where I stop short of comparing Fleener to Rob Gronkowski is his toughness at the catch point. Fleener allows smaller defensive backs to out-position him at the catch point and has not yet learned to effectively use his size. He is not a revolutionary prospect since he rounds his routes like most tight ends, but Fleener is a likely first-round pick with an amazing set of traits to build on.

Rutgers WR Mohamed Sanu -- The Pro Day effect elevated Sanu's forty time to 4.41 after registering in the 4.65 range at the Combine. He plays much closer to the latter. A large target at 6'2/211 pounds, Sanu shines in traffic while coming down with contested catches. He is adept at sitting in soft zones or creating separation with fluidity and smoothness in his routes while generating just enough space at the catch point. Sanu's acceleration worries me after registering a 10-yard split in the 1.65 range, but the way he absorbs contact off the line bodes well for NFL success. The question is if Sanu's skill-set offers enough special qualities to be drafted before the third round. For a team that is in need of an underneath to intermediate receiver, Sanu would instantly contribute and flashes toughness after the catch.

Georgia TE Orson Charles -- The receiving tight end shows strength when facing physical defensive backs and a burst after the catch, but Charles' workout numbers were close to dreadful. With heavy winds Charles ran a 4.75 and a 4.90 against along with a 30.5" vertical, 7.29 three-cone, 4.75 short shuttle, and a 9'5" broad jump. Aside from the forty, none of those test results would have placed Charles higher than eighth among participating Combine tight ends. Charles flashes fluidity in pads and at worst plays at the speed of these times, but I cannot deny being surprised by these poor results. He is a mismatch with linebackers or defensive backs, but does not have the elite athletic upside I previously thought. These numbers do not coincide with a top-50 pick.

Just like the Combine, Pro Day workouts give numbered results to supplement what prospects produce on the field during games. With numerous high-profile invitees sitting out their first-impression Combine workout, Pro Days have a heightened sense of importance for participants to perform up to or beyond the athleticism they showed on Saturdays. We are around the midway point of post-season workouts so let's look at who has impressed or underperformed thus far.

Name-brand

Stanford QB Andrew Luck -- On a windy day in Palo Alto, Luck showed brilliant command of his Pro Day workout by completing 45-of-48 passes. Two incompletions were dropped, and the third came on an overthrow. The style in which Luck orchestrated his variety of throws was most impressive, with the majority coming after movements in the pocket. It is something many QB prospects do not implement enough at Pro Days, since most passes at the next level will be thrown in a muddled pocket. It did not matter if Luck was forced to flow to his left or right, he consistently squared his shoulders and placed the ball in a catchable position with efficient velocity. Some have questioned Luck's arm strength, claiming he guides too many throws. I don't buy it. Combined with pre-throw anticipation, his motion is so effortless that passes look placed. That kind of touch and awareness is a positive in my book. More information surfaced yesterday that, at Stanford, Luck called one formation and chose from three plays at the line of scrimmage. Most NFL quarterbacks don't even have that kind of responsibility. There is no doubting Robert Griffin III as an elite prospect, but I would draft Andrew Luck with the first pick every day of the week.

Oklahoma State WR Justin Blackmon -- After sitting out most of the Combine with a tweaked hamstring, Blackmon showed excellent straight-line speed with a sub-4.45 forty while weighing in eight pounds heavier (215) than he did in Indianapolis. This time will be adjusted, with teams likely adding around two hundredths of a second, but anything under 4.5 is a stellar result. Blackmon has the necessary speed to be a vertical threat, but has yet to show it due to the Big 12 off-coverages that repeatedly offered short completions. However, Blackmon flashed downfield playmaking ability when breaking first contact and keeping distance from trailing defensive backs for long after-catch runs. Blackmon's catch radius and skills to adjust to throws (35.5" vertical) are undeniably impressive. With that said, I still question if he can dominate press coverage like he did facing seven-yard cushions. Many will definitively say Blackmon deserves a top-ten selection and fits in the category of other elite prospects (A.J. Green, Julio Jones). I love Blackmon's physical style, but not enough to put him in that group and doubt he can consistently produce like a top-15 NFL wide receiver.

Baylor QB Robert Griffin III -- Griffin's Pro Day lost a little luster after the Redskins went all-in for the No. 2 pick, making it seemingly obvious that he's already got his next team. But that did not stop the Baylor quarterback from putting on a show. Griffin threw around 82 passes, the first 20 to still targets, and completed 76 of them. This result was expected in a scripted workout, but the pace at which Griffin fired off throws was thoroughly impressive. No one questions Griffin's arm talent, especially on deep sideline throws or when testing coverage downfield. Griffin looked more refined in his stance, with his elbows compact pre-release rather than parallel to his feet like Troy Smith. Still, the few questions I have on Griffin were impossible to answer in a Pro Day setting. After his initial drop, Griffin's footwork lacks purpose when his first read is taken away. The steps are inconsistent, either choppy or a single stride. The athlete in Griffin momentarily takes over but in Washington's style of offense this is close to a non-issue. I still prefer Luck's ability to handle protection assignments pre-snap and decisive movements in tight spaces, but Griffin possesses every quality of an elite QB talent.

Stanford TE Coby Fleener -- At 6'6/241, Fleener put on a clinic with a 4.45 forty and 37" vertical while standing on his 27 bench reps from the Combine. After four months, Fleener's high ankle sprain suffered in the Fiesta Bowl was said to be 90 percent healed. From an outside perspective that is a long timetable to return to full health, but it was a positive sign that Fleener fully participated in the workout after slipping in the three-cone drill. Fleener can stretch the field from the in-line position or out in the slot as a Joker, but Fleener is far from complete. He is a willing blocker with excellent length but has not shown an ability to consistently win in one-on-one situations at the line of scrimmage. Fleener overextends far too often, but blocking is one of the easier skills to obtain especially for a willing player. Where I stop short of comparing Fleener to Rob Gronkowski is his toughness at the catch point. Fleener allows smaller defensive backs to out-position him at the catch point and has not yet learned to effectively use his size. He is not a revolutionary prospect since he rounds his routes like most tight ends, but Fleener is a likely first-round pick with an amazing set of traits to build on.

Rutgers WR Mohamed Sanu -- The Pro Day effect elevated Sanu's forty time to 4.41 after registering in the 4.65 range at the Combine. He plays much closer to the latter. A large target at 6'2/211 pounds, Sanu shines in traffic while coming down with contested catches. He is adept at sitting in soft zones or creating separation with fluidity and smoothness in his routes while generating just enough space at the catch point. Sanu's acceleration worries me after registering a 10-yard split in the 1.65 range, but the way he absorbs contact off the line bodes well for NFL success. The question is if Sanu's skill-set offers enough special qualities to be drafted before the third round. For a team that is in need of an underneath to intermediate receiver, Sanu would instantly contribute and flashes toughness after the catch.

Georgia TE Orson Charles -- The receiving tight end shows strength when facing physical defensive backs and a burst after the catch, but Charles' workout numbers were close to dreadful. With heavy winds Charles ran a 4.75 and a 4.90 against along with a 30.5" vertical, 7.29 three-cone, 4.75 short shuttle, and a 9'5" broad jump. Aside from the forty, none of those test results would have placed Charles higher than eighth among participating Combine tight ends. Charles flashes fluidity in pads and at worst plays at the speed of these times, but I cannot deny being surprised by these poor results. He is a mismatch with linebackers or defensive backs, but does not have the elite athletic upside I previously thought. These numbers do not coincide with a top-50 pick.

Baylor WR Kendall Wright -- The difference between Wright's 4.43 Pro Day forty time and Sanu's is that Wright constantly plays at that speed. After struggling with his starts on the electronic system at the Combine, Wright shaved nearly two-tenths of a second off his time. The crispness in Wright's route running with little wasted movement allows him to consistently separate from trailing defensive backs. Wright is clearly one of the best route runners in this class and his ability to start from any receiving position at the snap adds to his skill-set. Above all, the way Wright adjusts to throws at full speed makes him stand alone, as he displayed with a trademark one-handed grab along the sideline on Wednesday. No one tracks the ball better downfield. Wright beats press coverage with quick movements and fast hands while keeping defensive backs guessing in off-coverage. The quick-twitch wideout is a combination of Steve Smith and Santonio Holmes with a legitimate chance to be drafted in the top-15 picks.

Washington RB Chris Polk -- Showing up to the Senior Bowl with a soft frame has since improved Polk's work ethic. He is now 12 pounds lighter than in Mobile and is consistently lowering his forty time, from his "official" 4.57 at the Combine to a 4.45-4.51 at the Huskies' Pro Day. Too much was made about Polk not flashing at the Senior Bowl in limited contact scenarios. That is not his game. Polk is a patient runner with incredible vision and anticipation to weave in space while breaking tackles on first contact. He is not going to wow evaluators with straight-line, home-run ability like Lamar Miller or David Wilson but Polk is a dependable runner with soft hands. His big plays are not flashy but the vision and burst he possesses will allow those long gains to translate into an NFL setting.

Nebraska DE/DT Jared Crick -- A torn pectoral ended Crick's senior season early, but after completing 26 bench press reps, the injury looks to be fully healed. At 6'4/279 pounds, Crick has some positional versatility at either left end in a 4-3 that moves inside on pass rushing situations or a 3-4 end. He is not the quickest penetrator off the snap, but Crick offers active hands and one of the best motors in the draft. He does not shed with proper timing at the tackle point and lacks the short-area quickness and explosion to consistently make tackles in the backfield. Despite these issues, Crick will grow in the system he is drafted into, with the ability to add or lose weight to fit his role. Before his final season, Crick was considered one of the top senior talents in the country and could be a tremendous value in the second round.

Upward Momentum

Miami (OH) G Brandon Brooks -- This year's biggest Combine snub, Brooks measured in at 6'5/346 and posted outstanding workout numbers: 36 bench reps, 4.98 forty with a 1.71 ten-yard split, 32" vertical, 8'9" broad jump, and 4.52 short shuttle, the latter of which would have led all offensive line Combine participants. A standout during East-West Shrine week, Brooks carries his weight very well while using defensive linemen's momentum against them or creating space with brute strength. Like anyone his size, Brooks needs to fire off the ball lower, but do not be surprised when he is the first non-Combine invite selected, likely in the draft's second day.

Tennessee DE/DT Malik Jackson -- I prefer Jackson at left defensive end in a 4-3 where he can burst off the edge or use persistence and power to create penetration against right tackles. After transferring from USC at 250 pounds, Jackson has efficiently bulked up to 290 -- six more pounds than he weighed in at the Combine. Jackson said himself that he is working toward appealing to 4-3 teams at defensive tackle (where he played his senior season) and has the length (6'5", 33.5" arms) to add even more mass. This kind of positional flexibility would have once drawn a "tweener" label. Instead, it is now considered positive versatility since Jackson consistently wins at any spot along the line. Admittedly, I value Jackson much more than others while giving him a mid second-round grade, but we have seen similar players like Chris Canty, Kendall Langford, and Jason Jones cash in recently. At worst, Jackson should be a fourth-round selection that will grow (or shrink) into his assigned role.

Utah State RB Michael Smith -- Teammate Robert Turbin drew most of the spotlight at Utah State, but Smith offers very intriguing skills as a third-day pick and production to prove it. At 5'8/207, Smith's results were highly impressive: 4.35 forty, 10'6" broad jump, 40.5" vertical, 23 bench press reps. Smith's running style is easy to enjoy, unafraid of contact between the tackles while sticking to his lane or flashing quick lateral movements after one step. His slight hops in traffic prevent him from losing speed while evading contact. His shorter stature forces Smith to go down on first contact often and limits his three-down ability as a pass protector, where he is consistently thrown to the side despite starting in a sound position. Smith will never be a workhorse, but the way he stays between the hashes while delivering long runs is far more preferable than LaMichael James' boundary running style, and for much a cheaper price.

Louisville TE Josh Chichester -- Standing at 6'8/245, the former wide receiver ran a 4.57 forty and leaped 38" on his vertical. Chichester lacks burst out of a three-point stance when blocking or releasing in-line, but gets down the field with long strides. Obviously he stands out as a red-zone target with a wide catch radius while using his body for positioning. Otherwise, Chichester lacks some coordination and will be unable to look fluid in routes that require more than a single break downfield. If he uses his reach when blocking and adds strength to his game, Chichester could be worth a very late-round developmental pick as a slot tight end.